Malaysia’s Largest Post Graduate Fair

The Post Graduate Education Fair (PGEF) which has been held since year 2002 offers universities and institutions a valuable platform to showcase courses and relevant information to working professionals and graduates. PGEF is served to connect the bridges and move audience one step further in their lives by providing professional advice on specific subject areas and future career path opportunities.

PGEF is Malaysia’s largest postgraduate education fair and has attracted more than half a million visitors since year 2002. The PGEF is held twice a year. As we believe that no matter what industry we are in, getting a master or doctorate degree inside and outside of our field will enhance our career substantially. It also broadens our horizons and enable us to see a different perspective. Thus, the PGEF is held to promote the Lifelong Learning culture among Malaysians.

How Tough Can It Be To Get A Postgraduate Degree

The first challenge is to qualify for a course – most programs require a basic degree with some working experience. Some colleges and universities accept students whom may have lower academic qualifications, but are able to substantiate their suitability with extensive working experience under their belts and or an admissions test.

After meeting the qualifications, you will then have to consider financing options. Some of you may have saved up for this purpose, but those who haven’t; there is plenty of financing options available ranging from bank loans, installment programs and such. You will find that the Return on Investments (ROI) of the post graduate program more often pays for itself in a very short period of time!

But the toughest part must be staying the course of the program and graduating. For many, studying full time may not be an option. There are plenty of part time and weekend courses available.

More importantly, ensure that you only enroll in an accredited and recognized institution, as there are plenty of ‘degree mills’ out there masquerading as genuine institutions. This is where PGEF strict participation policies kick in – only colleges and universities that are registered and recognized by their respective accreditation authorities are admitted into the exhibition.

Scholarships and Grants:
Many of the participating colleges and universities have scholarships and grants for deserving students. Some offer tuition reimbursements and other financial aids as well.

Why Study A Postgraduate Course

What is Postgraduate Course?
A postgraduate education is sometimes known as a graduate education or quaternary education. Usually taken after obtaining a Bachelor’s degree, a postgraduate degree is quite common in today’s day of age. Depending on the degree taken, a postgraduate study may be through taught course or through research. The two common types of postgraduate qualifications are a Masters Degree and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Similar structure to the undergraduate degrees, a Masters degree is taught course which is usually over a year of full-time study or two years part time. On the other hand, research Master’s degree involves a “sustained, rigorous, critical and systematic investigation of a defined subject” for at least one year.

The highest level of academic qualification, a PhD involves an extended period of at least three years of supervised research. Resulting in a thesis which “forms an addition to knowledge, shows evidence of systematic study and of ability to relate the results of study to the general body of knowledge in the subject and is worthy of publication”. Creating more demand, a research PhD is not only lengthy but novel at that too.

Who Can Do Postgraduate Study?

Usually a relevant degree is a pre-requisite for taking up a postgraduate course. However a high CGPA is not a mandatory requirement for pursuing a postgraduate degree. A mere 2.1 which is 65% or better is usually the accepted level into institutions where postgraduate studies are concerned. However lower grades of 2.25 are regularly accepted onto postgraduate courses especially when better results are attained in modules relevant to the postgraduate course than in the degree overall. A Diploma holder can also admit themselves to a postgraduate programme provided that they have good amount of working years under their belts.

When Is The Best Time For A Postgraduate Study?

One can further their study straight after a degree is completed, or even many years later. This all depends on an individual’s preferences. One can study as a full time student or part time while they are working.

Right after the degree
One can pursue a postgraduate study right after they have completed their degree. This is appropriate where the knowledge gained in the undergraduate degree is still fresh in your mind and is directly relevant to a postgraduate of your choice.

Quitting work to go back to school
Some people opt to work right after their undergraduate programme as the working experience is invaluable. After a short stint or may be even after working for 10 years or more, one might want to further their education and obtain a postgraduate qualification. The questions one should ask themselves before considering this is: What problems may there be financially once you are no longer earning money? How do you meet the costs of your education? What are your plans for re-entry to work, how long will it take?

While working
Some people may choose to work and study part-time. Working and studying in some career fields may be viable but some, it may not be conducive due to the time constraints. Will this be an essential part in your career development?

World Requirements
Apart from those who have the burning desire for intellectual challenge and the development knowledge, there are many reasons why a postgraduate course may benefit you. It is important to map out reasons why you want to become a postgraduate. This is to enable you to identify your clear goals in order to get the right choice for an institution, course and department.

In today’s highly competitive world and with the influx of talents across the globe, it is important to stand out and leave an impact. Some career fields require a professional qualification and for others a postgraduate qualification makes a resume looks even better. Although not really a necessity, a postgraduate qualification will give a certain edge and a distinctive advantage particularly when competition for placement is fierce.

Apart from equipping you with the necessary skills, a postgraduate degree can also dress you with experience which further prepares you to face the competitive world which beckons you. Also a postgraduate qualification can increase your earning potential compared to a regular degree.

Why Obtain A Professional Qualification?

Postgraduate programmes offer professional qualifications which are generally qualifications awarded directly by professional bodies which involve practical training and specialized theory courses. All of which allows a person to gain hands-on experience as well as specialized techniques their chosen fields of expertise. Most of the time, universities and other institutes offer courses which are accredited by the relevant professional bodies in specific fields, depending on the courses that they are offering.

Is a Professional Qualification really needed?

In some fields of expertise, individuals must obtain specific professional qualifications in order to practice their profession, for instance law and medicine. Obtaining a professional qualification is not mandatory in some other fields, but it is definitely a way to continue one’s career development. By obtaining the qualifications, one will be better equipped to and perform better in roles that they are holding. Individuals, whom have demonstrated that they have achieved a level of competency within the fields of their profession through a professional qualification, may improve future job prospects and heighten wage levels.

The common postgraduate qualifications are Masters degress, postgraduate certificates or diplomas. Pursuing a professional qualification may take as short as several months or up to 3 to 5 years – depending on what field of expertise or mode of study. To obtaining the necessary qualification, one may have to involve these particular requirements:

Attending lectures, seminars and workshops

Obtain certification by other professionals

Writing a thesis or report

Sitting for examinations

Employers and Postgraduate Study

Most employers place great value in advanced knowledge and skills developed from a postgraduate course. Reason being, postgraduates courses are more focused and specialized than general first degrees. This gives the employers assurance on your workplace suitability. Apart from that, a postgraduate qualification provides better avenue for promotion as skills are often prominent in a postgraduate (which is usually comprises mature students).

With the current financial turmoil, most companies are taking drastic measures, one of which is by retrenching staff. Those who often fall prey to this measure are underperforming staff as well as those who may not possess such high qualifications. Most companies rather invest on people who possess the right qualification, skills and preferably experience. This is evident when companies are slowly preparing for the financial blow, or picking themselves up from a previous plump. Statistics has proven that with postgraduate qualification, graduates not only find employment within six months of course completion but in most cases are saved from the axe.

As it has been said, it is also common knowledge to most that professionals whom have gone through a postgraduate education earn more than those who do not. For example, a study conducted by the University of Maryland analysed date from 50,000 IT professionals and found out that IT professionals with an MBA qualification earn 46% more than their colleagues who only hold a bachelor’s degree.

Futurspects

With a postgraduate qualification, individuals would be able to obtain better entry requirements to a career field, better promotion opportunities or even an increase in wage levels. Owning a professional qualification from a postgraduate programme will show that you have achieved and completed a recognized benchmark level of competence and would be more knowledgeable and skillful in your areas of expertise, which by no doubt would raise your level of competitiveness in the currently volatile job market.